The art of diagnosis in
Ayurveda can be divided
into 2 parts: The inspection of the human being (Rogi-Pariksa) and the
examination of the disease (Roga-Pariksa). A very important aspect is the
determination of the constitution, which maybe described as the individual
state of health. The constitution is diagnosed by determining the
individual constellation of the 3 doshas at the time of birth. On the
basis of the dietary recommendations are given, and it also indicates the
proneness to possible diseases. A disease start by a deviation from the
constitution and is understood to represent a deviation from the normal
composition of the 3. Thus the current state of the 3
doshas has a great
importance in finding a diagnosis.

DIAGNOSTIC METHODOLOGY

Information about diagnostic methodology in
Ayurveda is
plenty but is lying scattered in the text at various places in the form of
Sutras, Slokas or Verses. This puts Ayurvedic scholars in difficulty for
examining and diagnosing a patient in an organized or systematic way. Many
new diseases are developing and so never diagnostic methodologies. It has
become essential that an alternative medicine should remain updated with
the recent developments in modern science utilized for diagnosing
diseases. According to Charaka, three things are essential for diagnosing
a disease.

The are:
1.Pratyaksha (Observation)
2.Anumana
(Interference), and
3.Aptopadesh (saying of seers in authoritative
classical and other texts)

Susruta prescribed, the use of five sense while examining a patient and
asking Prashnas (questioning). It is essential for a physician to do both
Roga (disease) and Rogi (patient) Pariksha (examination).

In addition to the above in females, examination of Artava
(menstruation) and Stanya (breast milk) is done. Ayurveda texts mentioned Dashavidha Pariksha (ten types of examination). This examination should be
made before final medicaments are given to the patient. In this way we
observe, there is not much difference in the Ayurvedic methodology of
diagnosing from the modern allopathic method of diagnosing disease. Some
minor conceptual variations are there.

The Vaidya,the Ayurvedic
Doctor examines your eyes, hair, skin, tongue,hand & feet and your teeth
and feels the Pulse. Meanwhile he/she also listens to the tone of your
voice, the pitch & rhythm of speech and how many times you've blinked
your eyelids. He/she feels if the palm of your hand is moist, looks at
the colour of your skin and at what condition your hair is in.

The Vaidya uses these observations to determine the unique nature of
your constitution known as your Sharir Prakruti. Your Manas Prakiti, the Triguna, the three mental attributes as Satva, Rajas and Tamas is also analysed.This is established by a spiritual bond
which comes into being between yourself and your Vaidya, by touch and
feel of your Pulse at a subtle level with the Ayurvedic Intutive powers.
The body is considered as one single energy field which is being upset
by illness. The illness as such is manifesting itself across the whole
body.

Vata stands for air and ether (or space). Physically Vata dosha
manifests itself in the principle of movement. Vata refers to the subtle
energy which controls all movements like breathing, muscle movement and
impulses of the nerve cells. Vata also controls certain feelings like
nervousness, fear and pain.

Pitta means fire and is composed by the elements fire and water.
Physically this dosha is influencing the digestion, body temperature,
the colour of the skin, the brilliance of the eyes, intelligence and
insight. Psychologically Pitta drives anger, hate and jealousy.

Kapha means water and consists of the elements of water and earth.
Physically Kapha influences the structure and the appearance. Kapha controls resistance, oils the joints, moistens the skin and ensures
strength and stability. Kapha is responsible for energy in the heart and
lungs, but also for traits like greed, affection and long-term envy

Diagnosis with vastu for
your environment, house and office...

Vastu is the
science of direction that combines all the five elements of nature and
balances them with the man and the material. Vastu Shastra is creating a
congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way
taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called "Panchabhootas"
of the nature thereby paving the way for enhanced health, wealth,
prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.

Vastu-Shastra, the Indian
prototype of Feng-Shui (or is feng shui China's version of vastu?). Vastu in Sanskrit means
nature, a surrounding or environment. The word "Vaasthu" came from
Vasthu, denoting anything existing such as house, shelter, building etc.
Shastra in sanskrit means systems. Vastu shastra is an ancient art and
science, containing principles and practices of constructing buildings
which ensures a harmonious balance between man and nature and thereby
bring all round happiness, health, wealth and prosperity.

We have to pay
attention towards following points when we choose a land or
doing construction or buy a building as well as take any place on
rent. For i.e. to setup a clinic will important to keep in your
mind:

According to Shastras, if we worship, revere and respect the lords
of these eight directions, they will shower on us their blessings
and benefits.

Esshan ie Ishwar (North-east) - He grants us wisdom, knowledge and serve all
comforts and relieves us from sufferings.

Indra (East) - He is the king
of angels. He gives wealth and all pleasures of life.

Agni/Fire (South-east) - He
gives us beautiful personality and all the best of life.

Yamaa or Yamaha (South) - He is
god of death. He is embodiment of dharma. He eradicates evils
and grants all good things.

Nissan or Niruti (South-west) -
He vanishes fear about our enemies.

Varun (West) - He is god of
rain. He showers his blessings through rain and brings
prosperity and pleasure in life all round.

Vayu/Wind (North-west) - He
bestows on us long life, health and strength. He is the basic of
all life.

Kuber (North) - He is god of wealth. He grants us wealth and all
comforts of life.

If you are interesting to pay Vastu
attention for your project, house, clinic, office and so on, please contact us.

By Suma Varughese

Ayurveda practitioner Pankaj Naram's meteoric rise culminates in
a multifunctional health center in Mumbai, India, which combines the
best of ayurvedic treatments with a soothing ambience.

Ayurveda practitioner Pankaj
Naram's meteoric rise culminates in a multifunctional health center
in Mumbai, India, which combines the best of ayurvedic treatments
with a soothing ambience.

The white elegant building lends unexpected dignity to the muddy
by-lane it stands on at Malad, a suburb of Mumbai, in the western
Indian state of Maharashtra. Set amidst a miniature lawn with tall
almond trees, the five-level structure, with its color-coded décor
and antique, ethnic wooden furnishing, has a polished sophistication
reminiscent of either a holiday resort, a multinational office or an
arts zone. Anything but what it actually is: an ayurveda center.

Ayushakti Ayurveda Health Center is the dreamchild of ayurvedic
physician Pankaj Naram. It is the culmination of Dr Naram's meteoric
rise that has seen him treat, within the span of a decade or so,
over 200,000 patients globally. The good doctor has, apart from
centers all over India, nine centers in Italy and two in Germany. He
treats about 300-400 patients a day.

Impressive statistics, however, can't capture the essence of a human
story. Dr Naram's tale is one of giving hope to the hopeless. More
than 7,000 couples have been cured of infertility. Heart patients,
suffering from total arterial blockage and consigned to dotage, have
stepped out of his clinic as limber as athletes. Victims of
rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, blood pressure and spondylitis have
been almost totally cured. Dr Naram has even stabilized the
condition of some AIDS patients. Epilepsy patients and the mentally
deficient have found relief with him.

Dr Naram's USP lies in his nadi vidya (pulse diagnosis) expertise.
Practiced by relatively few ayurveda practitioners, nadi vidya
enables the physician to zero in on any imbalance of the body's
three doshas (humors)—vata (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm)—simply by feeling the pulse. Vata, composed of ether and
air, stands for mobility. Only vata can expel toxic substances from
the body, dry out wounds, generate new cells and control
circulation. Pitta is composed of fire and a small portion of water.
It is the metabolic power that causes biochemical changes and is
responsible for gastrointestinal secretions. Pitta also controls
body temperature, hunger, thirst and suppleness. It stands for
courage, intellect and cheerfulness. Kapha comprises water and
earth. It is the nourishing power that protects the human organism
and its reproductive abilities. When these three doshas are in
balance, it signifies health.

In pulse diagnosis, the physician
places his index finger, middle finger and ring finger below the
radial bone of the wrist. The index finger identifies vata, the
middle finger pitta and the ring finger kapha. "Based on the
dominant dosha and the direction in which the pulse moves—its degree
of heat, cold, humidity and dryness—it is possible to identify 350
different body situations," says Dr Naram's wife and helpmate, Smita.
Dr Naram learnt pulse diagnosis from his guru Baba Ramdas, a Tibetan
lama who consented to initiate him into the art only after breaking
down his ego by making him sweep his place. Even today, Dr Naram is
under strict injunctions not to charge for consultancy or advertise
his practice.

Also central to ayurveda is the concept of aam—impurity generated by
tridosha imbalance. With herbal extracts, diet and panchkarma, an
ayurvedic physician can eliminate aam to restore balance. The
Ayushakti center is fully equipped for such treatment.

The ground floor of Dr Naram's setup leads to an ayurvedic
restaurant, probably the first of its kind in India. Adjacent to it
is a counter that sells a vast range of products—health snacks, dry
fruit fudge and saffron syrup—all created by the doctor's wife. The
counter also sells a variety of toiletries and cosmetics. Culled
from the ancient ayurvedic manuscripts that Dr Naram received from
his guru, the cosmetics are apparently based on the beauty recipes
of the legendary ancient Indian dancer Amrapali! They include
rejuvenating hair oil, to which Dr Naram, prematurely bald at 20,
owes his thick crop.

Opposite
the food and cosmetic counter stands the dispensary. All products at
Ayushakti are made at Dr Naram's laboratories, and are prepared from
specially picked herbs. Dr Naram attributes his medicines' efficacy
to their unpolluted source as well as the fact that they are made
from ghana (liquid) extract of herbs rather than the standard powder
extract.

On the first floor of the Ayushakti center is the outpatient
department, where Dr Naram, his wife and a team of 10 doctors attend
to a non-stop stream of patients. Elegant stone terrazzos flank the
open balconies, providing patients with airy seats.

The second floor of Ayushakti has the panchakarma centers, with
separate sections for men and women.

Panchakarma, which is currently
enjoying a successful revival all over the world, stands for five
purifying measures—vamana (vomiting), virecana (purging), nasya
(nasal treatment), vasti (enema), and rakta moksha (bloodletting).
The facilities include steam bath, fiberglass beds and jacuzzi. A
beauty parlor is on the cards.

Dr Naram also has a few special tricks up his sleeve. Take marma,
the art of using the body's pressure points. I watch him in action
with 19-year-old Archana Tambey, whose right half of the face is
heavily distended. With quicksilver agility, Dr Naram touches five
points in the face and then applies some medicine, which gets
absorbed. "It's my injection," Dr Naram says. This treatment, agrees
Archana's uncle, has reduced her swelling by 50 per cent.

Yet another technique is panchoti, in which Dr Naram aligns the
body's chassis by making the space between the navel and the nipples
equidistant. One day, Ramesh Venkatachalam, who looks after Dr
Naram's export section, bent down to pick up something, sneezed and
threw his back out of kilter. "I found I was tilting to one side. On
immediate examination, the difference between the distance of the
right and left shoulder from the navel turned out to be three
inches." A few days later, as I watch, Dr Naram measures the
distance and finds it reduced to one and a half inches. Turning the
patient on his stomach, Dr Naram deftly touches the pressure points
at the base of his spine, rubs in some medicine, which promptly
disappears, then thumps the length of the spine sharply. Turning him
back, Dr Naram re-measures the length between the shoulders and the
navel: they are now in perfect proportion.

The animal and plant world, too, benefits from ayurveda. Dr Naram's
album is full of photographs of him checking the pulse of baby
leopards, snakes, bunnies and dogs. His wife claims that he has been
treating a blind lioness at a nearby national park for the last six
months. Now, its caretakers believe that the lioness has begun to
see.

Though Dr Naram claims that he
specializes in the treatment of chronic diabetes, blood pressure and
arthritis, his success with infertility cases is also quite
spectacular. So, what's the secret?

Says Dr Naram: "Eighty per cent of today's population has pitta dosha because of our stressful lifestyle and pollution. Pitta increases body heat. Semen, on the other hand, is cold. This is why
cases of low sperm count have increased. Since only ayurveda thinks
in terms of hot and cold, we alone can cure this problem by
prescribing cooling herbs and diet."

Dr Naram assesses his success rate at 70 to 80 per cent. He has
himself benefited from ayurveda—his blood sugar count dipped from
420 to 95. "After seeing even 3,000 patients a day, I feel as
energetic as when I started," he says. "The purpose of my life is to
be happy and to create an opportunity for others to be happy."

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical judgment of a physician relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition.

In no event will the DrEddyClinic.com be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through this web site.